Beer dispensing device



April 11, 1939.

E. G. ROLANDE BEER DISPENSING DEVICE Filed July 14, 1957 INVENTORPatented Apr. 11, 1939 BEER DISPENSING DEVICE Edgar G. Rolande,Pittsburgh, Pa", assignor to Al Pincus, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application July 1 1937, Serial No. 153,560

2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatus forthe prevention of clogging of beer coils and the growth of bacteria inbeer dispensing lines, and it is among the objects thereof to providemeans of applying a low frequency alternating current to the beer in thedispensing line which shall be of simple and relatively inexpensiveconstruction and which shall be adapted for quick assembly when placedin use.

It is generally iecognlzed that the application of a low alternatingcurrent to beer prevents the formation of sludge and the growth ofbacteria in beer coils. The accepted phenomena. of the action of anelectrical current on the beer is that the charged particles of thesolids in the beer repel each other thereby maintaining a con-- stantcirculation. Various forms of electrical de\ =ces for so charging thebeer flowing through the soils have been heretofore devised, and thepresent invention is designed to simplify and improve such devices,particularly as to the shape and form of the electrodes employed.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent froma consideration of the accompanying drawing constituting a part hereofin which like reference characters designate like parts and in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a box with the cover opened, containing anelectrode and transformer embodying the principles of this invention;

Fig. 2 a vertical cross-sectional view thereof taken along the line 2-2,Fig.1;

Fig. 3 a transverse section through an electrode taken along the line3-3, Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 a sectional elevational View of a portion of a dispensing conduitfor use in the box of Figs. 1 and 2 showing a modified form ofelectrode.

With reference to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawing, the structure thereinillustrated comprises a box I constructed of sheet metal having thecover 2 hinged-thereto at 3 and provided with a handle portion 4, thecover, when closed, having a jam fit on the upper edges of the box I.The sidewalls of the box l are perforated to receive the end fittings 4and 5 of a beer line, one side of which leads to a supply of beer suchas a barrel and the other side to a beer coil of conventional form, bothsides 4 and 5 connecting to metallic conduits which constitute oneterminal of an electrical circuit.

Disposed intermediate the fittings 4 and 5 is a glass tube 6 sealedatits ends I and 8 in the fittings t and 5 either by suitable gaskets ora liquid-proof cement or both. Contained within the tube is a flatribbon electrode 9 spirally wound as shown in Fig. 3, one end of whichconstitutes a terminal i electrically connected by conduit H to atransformer generally designated by the reference numeral I2. Anelectric light bulb i3 is mounted in a socket l4 extending on a bracket85, the light being connected by conductor E6 to the transformer :2. Aperforation ll provided in the cover 2 registers with the top of thelight bulb l3 when the cover is closed, rendering the light visible fromthe outside of the box. Transformer i2 is connected through an outlet 18of the box to a conduit i9, which may be connected to a standardalternating current lighting circuit. The spiral electrode 9 ispreferably made of silver ribbon andis of a size to substantially fillthe inner dimensions of the glass tube 6 which is approximately one inchin diameter.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4, the glass tube 6 is provided with awire electrode 20 in the form of helixes connected to terminal H towhich the conduit H is connected leading to the transformer. Both thespiral and helical forms of electrodes of Figs. 3 and 4 have been foundsatisfactory for the purpose and their use is optional, although thehelical form of electrode 2|] may be less expensive than the ribbon asit consists of but a fine silver wire. Both forms of electrodes, asherein shown, are conveniently mounted within the glass tube and providea substantial surface area for contact with the beer passing through theline. When the circuit is energized, the light l3 so indicates, and iffor any reason the circuit is faulty or the power shut off, the light I3will be out, so that the inoperativeness of the device will becomereadily apparent.

Beer drawn from coils to which the invention has been applied remainsclear and does not acquire a rancid or bitter taste, and sections of thecoil, when removed, show that it is maintained perfectly clean and freefrom all deposits. Also the silver electrode does not cause anydecomposition of the tin beer coils, there being no discharge of tin orsilver into the beer and no gases are generated in the liquid because ofthe use of such a device.

Although one embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated anddescribed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications may be made in the assembly and arrangementsottheparts'wifliiiut from the principles herein set forth.

I claim: 1. In a beer dispensing device, a metallic conduit for the flowof beer from the source 0! supply to'a cooling coil, a conduit sectionof insu-' lating material interposed therein, a silver electrode oi.substantial length wound to form spaced convolutions disposed entirelywithin the walls of the conduit, said electrode having a terminalextending through the wall of the conduit and electrically insulatedtherefrom and having electrical connections with the said terminal andthe metallic flow conduit to form an electrical circuit through the beerflowing in the dispensing line.

' 2; In a beer dispensing device, a conduit for dispensing conduit. a LG. ROLAND].

